Stumped for half-term activities? Four fun city breaks you can take with the kids
By Julian Hirst, Busbud in Europe
The October half-term holiday is rapidly approaching. Trying to keep our kids from sitting and staring at screens for the duration of the break means finding as many family-friendly activities as possible. That’s not always easy, especially when you’re catering to a variety of tastes and preferences. Things can get even more challenging when you don’t have a car to get to and from the best activities.
Fortunately, you can take a wide variety of quick city breaks with your children simply by using the UK’s coach network. There really is a city break for everyone, making them ideal for day trips or even destinations for the whole of the half-term break.
While much of the focus on public transport tends to be on trains, these kinds of coach trips are the often most affordable and efficient ways of getting around the country. Best of all, you get to have as much fun with your kids as you want without having to worry about driving tired or navigating on the way home. With that in mind, here are four of our favourite breaks for families, all within an hour of some of the UK’s biggest cities.
Whitstable - For Nature Lovers
Located less than an hour away from London by coach, the Kent seaside town of Whitstable has plenty to offer nature lovers. An inhabited settlement since the Paleolithic era, Whitstable first gained fame for its oyster beds, which have been harvested and savoured here since Roman times. Unlike many other British seaside towns, Whitstable’s seafront doesn’t have a promenade, meaning that its shale and sandy beaches (popular with watersports enthusiasts) are generally more peaceful.
The area is also home to several nature reserves, where visitors can experience wild horses and rare migratory birds, among other things. If you’re more interested in aquatic wildlife, you can also take a boat trip to see the area’s colony of Common Seals (actually rarer than Grey Seals).
York - For History Buffs
With origins dating back to 71AD, York has so much to offer history-loving children and adults alike. Just by walking around the city, you can travel back in time, touring York Minster, the city’s imposing gothic cathedral, walking its medieval walls (which make up a popular walk), and exploring The Shambles, the UK’s best-preserved medieval street.
Those wanting something a little more immersive, meanwhile, could visit the Jorvik Viking Centre, take part in an archaeological experience at DIG, or wander the streets on a ghost tour… with one claiming to be the oldest ghost walk in the world.
If you fancy rounding things off on a sweet note, then why not have your family try their hands at chocolate making? Both York Cocoa Works and York’s Chocolate Story offer family-friendly experiences and workshops, with the calendar of events matching the passing seasons. If you want to experience York yourself, it’s just a 45-minute coach ride from Leeds.
Glasgow - For City Slickers
Once known primarily for its shipping docks and heavy industry, Glasgow has steadily built a reputation for itself as an urban centre of sophisticated culture and design. And with the trip from Edinburgh taking an hour by coach, it’s well worth a visit.
Why not take in a bit of the urban culture available in Scotland’s most populous city by visiting one of its many museums? Alternatively, if you and your kids fancy learning about science and innovation, give the Glasgow Science Centre a visit. The centre features three floors of exhibits, science shows, and “meet the expert” workshops.
If the weather allows for it, you could also take a stroll through the Botanic Gardens, which features several ornate glass houses. Another option is to take a bus tour, which allows you to see a lot more of the city and to hop off at any attractions the various routes pass.
Liverpool - For Culture Vultures
Another port and dock city, Liverpool has long been one of the UK’s busiest port cities. While that heritage still runs strong, an hour and 15-minute coach trip from Manchester will show you how much it has to offer culturally.
Visitors can immerse themselves in the city’s maritime history by visiting the Royal Albert Dock, Britain’s most visited free tourist attraction. There, they can sample some of the many food options on offer, and visit museums including The International Slavery Museum and the Beatles Story Museum. While you’d ordinarily be able to visit Tate Liverpool too, it’s currently being hosted at RIBA North as its usual home undergoes redevelopment.
Of course, so much of what’s made Liverpool into the city it is today has come from its location on the River Mersey. A 50-minute cruise along the river will give you unparalleled views of the Liverpool skyline while also offering insights into how the river shaped everything from the city’s economy to some of its most famous music groups, including - of course - its favourite sons: The Beatles. It’s better by coach
Of course, these are just a handful of the city breaks you can easily take by coach in the UK. There are many more single or multi-day trips to explore. Travelling by coach, you’re choosing a more efficient and sustainable form of transport, and you’re saving yourself a headache by making the journey part of the fun. Put your seat back, connect to the wifi, get comfortable, and let someone else do the hard work. When you’ve got kids desperate for entertainment, that’s priceless.